Drawing on Logic

On paper, the San Fernando Valley’s representation in City Hall looks pretty good. The region’s population accounts for roughly one-third of Los Angeles’ 3.5 million people and--nominally, at least--it enjoys seven of the city’s 15 council seats. But only four of those districts are entirely within the Valley. The other seats--held by Cindy Miscikowski, Mike Feuer and John Ferraro--spill over to cover areas as diverse as Pacific Palisades, Mid-Wilshire and Hollywood. Only four of the Valley’s seven representatives actually live on this side of the Santa Monicas.

Discrepancies like that are the target of a new bill proposed by state Assemblyman Robert Hertzberg (D-Sherman Oaks). Hertzberg’s proposal asks that communities be kept together as much as possible when political districts are redrawn in 2001. It’s good common sense. So, naturally, it faces opposition from some politicians whose power depends on gerrymandered districts.

Hertzberg’s proposal--similar to one vetoed last year by former Gov. Pete Wilson--grew out of frustrated requests by residents of Van Nuys. Once the Valley’s signature community, parts of Van Nuys have slid slowly into disrepair over the past three decades. Community groups such as the Van Nuys Homeowners Assn. have fought back where they can.

But their efforts are complicated by the fact that Van Nuys is represented by four different members of the City Council--Miscikowski, Feuer, Joel Wachs and, until he became a state senator, Richard Alarcon. Something as simple as getting community signs posted around Van Nuys can take months because all four City Council offices have to get involved. It’s tough enough to focus on the needs of a community when a political district stretches from Van Nuys to Palms--as Miscikowski’s does. But when four different politicians carve up a neighborhood, everything is more difficult than it needs to be.

Granted, Miscikowski, Feuer, Wachs and, until he left, Alarcon, have all represented ably the interests of Van Nuys. Miscikowski, for instance, has helped guide development of the Van Nuys Civic Center and Alarcon was critical in restoring the economic health at the northern end of Van Nuys Boulevard. It’s doubtful, though, that any of them could argue with the simple notion that a single representative can make governance easier and more logical.